A CAR collided with a vehicle carrying a 19-month-old baby after police tried to stop it with a bed of spikes and the driver lost control.

Six people were injured when the Ford Fiesta hit the device - known as a Stinger - and ploughed into the side of a Vauxhall Corsa driven by Claire Simmons, 21.

Police said they had followed the suspected stolen car at speeds of up to 100mph before the crash on Sunday.

They had tried earlier to stop the car using the Stinger, but the driver managed to avoid the spikes.

The second time it was used, the car hit the spikes and crossed into the path of the Corsa.

Ms Simmons was kept in hospital until last night for observation. Her passengers, Natalie Hardy, and Miss Simmons' 19-month-old godson, Jay McCormack, suffered from shock. Three people in the Fiesta were slightly hurt.

The accident happened on the A691 near Durham.

Last night, Ms Simmons, of Witton Gilbert, said: "I saw the car coming from the opposite direction sliding across the road in my direction. I drove onto the verge but it hit the side of my car.

"I couldn't get out of car at first because my door was jammed. Natalie got out and managed to undo Jay's seatbelt of his child seat but couldn't get him out she was shaking so much.

"There were police everywhere and one helped get Jay out."

A police spokesman said: "The episode is now the subject of a detailed traffic investigation."

* A 28-year-old man was charged last night with driving while disqualified, dangerous driving, driving without insurance and failing to stop for police.